Country Brief – & NAMIBIA ENERGY
SUSTAINABILITY News & Analysis
October 2018
Namibia October 2018
Telecommunications, Networks and the Future
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Country Briefing
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Engaging the Rural Communities
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Quick Facts Population size Employment Literacy
2.30 million 62.7%1 89.00%
GDP Growth 2018(P) 1.4% Repo Rate 6.75% Interest rate (Prime) 10.50% Inflation rate 4.80% Budget (Current) N$65.0 Billion2
Geographic size 824,292 km²
Free vector map of Namibia outline - by One Stop Map
Industries Telecom (sophistication) Mobile - cell phones Water Availability / capita3 Electricity Gen. (Local) Electricity Demand (all)
Tourism, Mining, Fishing LTE 2.575 million subscribers 8, 800, 000Litres/capita 484.000 MW 629.000 MW
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Namibia Labour Force Survey (NLFS) of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) http://www.mof.gov.na/documents/27827/506801/Budget+Speech+2018.pdf/3f0b42f6-2c2d-4502-bca8b84f5d6951cc 3 2005 Figures https://www.greenfacts.org/en/water-resources/figtableboxes/aquastat123.htm
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018 COVER PAGE IMAGE RDJ Photo
This report is a FREE Publication and was prepared by RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia. The content is collated from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Advertising aligned with our objectives of Sustainable Resource usage is welcome. Contact Details; RDJ Consulting Services CC PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA
Editor: David Jarrett Author: RDJ Consulting Interns*
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*see editor information for full details!
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Visit our website www.rdjconsulting.co.za for more information.
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Table of Contents Economy at a glance ............................................................................................................................... 8 National Economics Fast Facts ............................................................................................................ 9 Economic Association of Namibia-Annual conference ..................................................................... 10 Namibia’s Economic Growth Overview for 2018’s Q2 ...................................................................... 11 DBN re-appoints its CEO ................................................................................................................... 11 Bank Windhoek approves 7% Annual Salary Increases .................................................................... 12 Annual inflation levels for transport, electricity increase ................................................................. 12 Oil & Gas ............................................................................................................................................... 13 September 2018 Fuel price increase ................................................................................................ 14 Schlettwein sees Kudu as a no go ..................................................................................................... 14 Tullow Oil abandons first Namibian well, ......................................................................................... 16 Global Petroleum to explore in Namibia .......................................................................................... 17 Uranium ................................................................................................................................................ 18 Electricity............................................................................................................................................... 20 Tariff Charges explained ................................................................................................................... 21 Renewable Energy ................................................................................................................................ 23 Solar projects status quo and future in Namibia .............................................................................. 24 Water .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Neckartal Dam reaching completion ................................................................................................ 26 Illegal water connections in Rundu ................................................................................................... 26 Tses water rationing over debt continues ........................................................................................ 26 The Environment and Sustainability ..................................................................................................... 27 Okongo Village contributing to food security ................................................................................... 28 Complete cancellation of Phosphate mining clearance certificate .................................................. 29 Telecommunications ............................................................................................................................. 31 Namibia 5th National ICT Summit ...................................................................................................... 32 MTC new prayer service ................................................................................................................... 32 081EVERY1 project makes progress ................................................................................................. 32 Free Internet use for FNB App users................................................................................................. 33 Powercom operating more towers ................................................................................................... 33
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Roads and Transport ............................................................................................................................. 34
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Feedback of the transport fare increase........................................................................................... 35 Financing ............................................................................................................................................... 36 MWT funds road construction .......................................................................................................... 37 Bank Windhoek finances a 5.78MW Solar Plant............................................................................... 37 Water Relief for arid Ruacana Constituency..................................................................................... 38 HangalaPrescient, investment driven ............................................................................................... 38 Tenders ................................................................................................................................................. 39 NAMPOWER ...................................................................................................................................... 40 NORED............................................................................................................................................... 40 Careers .................................................................................................................................................. 41 NAMPOWER ...................................................................................................................................... 42 Swakop Uranium ............................................................................................................................... 42
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EDITORIAL TEAM ............................................................................................................................. 43
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Figure 1: The Bank of Namibia Building
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Economy at a glance
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
National Economics Fast Facts4
Major imports
• foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Major Exports
• diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Fiscal Year
• 1 April - 31 March
Monetary Unit
• 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents
“This budget calls on the collective support for all Namibians, and, more than ever before, the contribution of the private sector to the national development objectives.” Hon. Minister of Finance, Calle Schlettwein – Budget Speech: 7 March 2018
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https://www.asycuda.org/dispcountry.asp?name=Namibia
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Economic Association of Namibia-Annual conference “Developing countries, including Namibia, have a chance to tackle inequality if they make it a developmental policy.”
T
he economic association of Namibia (EAN) held its annual conference on the 5th of September, 2018 under the theme “Inequality”. As the keynote speaker, the minister of Mines and Energy remarked on three points pertaining to inequality, which were: 1. why inequality matters and why should we be concerned about it 2. how corruption impacts inequality and 3. the role of leadership in curbing corruption and therefore inequality
He hinted that inequality is everyone’s problem and its impacts are on everyone. Corruption on the other hand, slumps all the government’s efforts to distribute income through social welfare programmes as for example corruption done through tax evasion, avoidance limits tax revenue collection. He further called on leaders (both public and Corporate) to be led by what is required of them by those who put them in charge. The conference chairman, Rowland Brown, who is also an economist, lamented that Inequality is a complex issue. He therefore calls everyone to look at it, in conjunction with a large number of other indicators and from a broader perspective. According to Brown, Namibia has seen substantial changes in Gini coefficient over time, and stated that so far, 50 percent of the Namibian population has no access to formal employment. The Challenges to Addressing Inequality Brown thinks that the country may have been looking at inequality at symptom level in solving it and when it is solved at symptom level it ends up creating more problems than it solved. He therefore outlined that blunt instrument approaches may have been used when implementing policies that aim at addressing inequality. Suggested Solution to Addressing the Challenges Inequality Brings The following are some of the challenges and solution proposed during the conference, which will help in addressing the issue of inequality.
Property rights
Innovation
•for balance
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•accountability between schools administration and parents
Resources allocation
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Education
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Namibia’s Economic Growth Overview for 2018’s Q25
D
ata for Namibia’s economic growth during the second quarter of 2018 show a decline of 0.2 percent, the same as the contraction of the same quarter in the preceding year. This was due to some sectors that underperformed during the period in observation, as well as a noted little progress from other sectors to cover this up. Below is an illustration of this. 2017
2018
Manufacturing (- 12.5%); Wholesale and Retail Sectors (-5.8%)
Manufacturing (- 9.8%); Wholesale and Retail Sectors (-11.4%)
Mining And Quarrying (+22.4%); Construction (+23.8%); and Water and Electricity (+16.7 %)
DBN re-appoints its CEO6
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he Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) board has re-appointed Martin as the bank’s CEO for another five years. After taking over the founding CEO David Nuyoma in 2013, Inkumbi has since headed DBN. From that time on, the bank’s balance sheet has grown from N$2.3 billion, with loans and advances of N$1.7 billion at the end of 2013, to N$8.8 billion with loans and advances of N$7.7 billion at 31 March 2018.
https://neweralive.na/posts/second-quarterly-gdp-shows-growth-declined-by-02 https://www.namibiansun.com/news/inkumbi-reappointed-as-dbn-ceo2018-09-06/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Bank Windhoek approves 7% Annual Salary Increases7
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ank Windhoek is pleased to announce an average of 7% in salary increases, as well as additional employee benefits for the 2018 remuneration period. The Bank’s Managing Director however said that the adjustments are performance based and will therefore be applied in line with the Company’s remuneration policy.
Annual inflation levels for transport, electricity increase8
T
he latest figures by the Namibian Statistics Agency show that the annual inflation levels for electricity, gas and fuel surged due to increased price movements in petrol and diesel for the second quarter of 2018, the latest Namibia Consumer Price Index shows. The inflation rate for petrol and diesel rose from -3.4% in August 2017 to 22.6% in August 2018, electricity and gas also showed an increased inflation rate of 13.2% last month from 1.8% recorded for the same period in 2017.
Namibia is situated in Southern Africa, and has a population of approximately 2.3 million people. It is estimated that by 2022, the country’s population will increase to 2.44 million inhabitants. The state capital, Windhoek, is the most populous city in Namibia by far. www.statista.com
https://www.namibiansun.com/news/bank-windhoek-approves-7-annual-salary-increases2018-09-14/ https://www.namibian.com.na/71439/read/Annual-inflation-levels-for-transport-electricity-surge
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October 2018 Namibia has no refinery capacity to-date
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Oil & Gas Page
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
September 2018 Fuel price increase9
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he Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that the fuel pump prices increased by 50c/l as of the 3rd October 2018. Prices in Walvis Bay and countrywide are now as follows: ✓ Petrol (95 Octane) - N$ 13.45 /L ✓ Diesel (500 PPM) - N$ 13.78 / L ✓ Diesel (50 PPM) - N$ 13.83 / L
Schlettwein sees Kudu as a no go10
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overnment has effectively closed the curtain on the much-talked about Kudu Gas to Power Project after Finance Minister, Calle Schlettwein, said it should be abandoned. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday, Schlettwein said the government is not willing to take on the risk of a project that it considers to be not financially viable. According to Schlettwein, the Kudu Gas to power project is not affordable both from a capital outlay and tariff point of view. He said developing Kudu means the financially-hamstrung government will have to close the door on other potential alternative sources of energy. “We have told NamPower to stop the project,” the finance minister said. “The financial risk is too big so we will not concede with funding it or accept financial risk. The much better option is for us to diversify our basket of the fuel that we use for power and concentrate on alternative sources”. NamPower announced in April that the planned Kudu Power Station would be down-sized from 850 megawatt (MW) to 442.5 MW after off-take agreements with South Africa’s power utility Eskom and Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation failed to materialize.
Figure 2: image source - http://www.genesisoilandgas.com 9
http://www.mme.gov.na https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/national/item/10375-schlettwein-kills-kudu
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Tullow Oil abandons first Namibian well,11
T
ullow Oil is an independent Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company, having
explorations interest in Africa. In 2016, Tullow focused on interpreting previously acquired seismic surveys to prepare prospects. In Namibia, the Company identified and started operating oil plays discovered in both the PEL30 and PEL37 licences with other partners.
Tullow Oil = 35%
ONGC Videsh Ltd and Pancontinental Oil & Gas = 30% each Paragon = 5%
Figure 3: PEL-37 licence equity distribution amongst operating companies
However, Tullow reported on 24 September 2018 that it will abandon its first well in Namibia, and attempt elsewhere. This was mentioned in a statement by the company after it found out that the Cormorant-1 exploration well in the PEL37 licence, offshore Namibia, contained non-commercial hydrocarbons.
Figure 4: Exploration Blocks offshore Namibia www.globalpetroleum.com.au
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https://www.namibiansun.com/news/tullow-oil-abandons-first-namibian-well2018-09-24/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Global Petroleum to explore in Namibia12
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hile Tullow oil plans to abandon one of its exploration wells in Namibia, after not reaching expectations in it, Global Petroleum Ltd has widened it footprint in the country by acquiring an 85% interest in Oil Exploration Block 2011A offshore Namibia. Together with its partners, the Company has signed a Petroleum Agreement with the Namibian Government in September 2018 for this acreage.
NAMCOR = 10% each
Aloe Investments = 5%
Figure 5: Oil Exploration Block 2011A equity distribution amongst operating companies
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https://www.namibiansun.com/news/global-petroleum-invests-in-search-for-oil2018-09-21/
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Global Petroleum Namibia Limited = 85%
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
✓ Swakop Uranium was constructed and developed the Husab mine ✓ The mine is located near the town of Swakopmund, in the Erongo region
Figure 6: www.world-nuclear.org
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Uranium
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Generation, Transmission and Distribution: Powering the people!
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Electricity
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Tariff Charges explained13 CHARGE TYPE
Service Charge
CHARGE DESCRIPTION AND USE The service charge (traditionally referred to also as basic charge) is a fixed charge that has the purpose of covering all administrative costs of the particular type of power supply point. The charge often designed to recover some of the fixed network costs relating to the type of supply point in question, e.g. the cable costs for house connections or the overhead lines for farm connections.
Capacity The capacity charge is a fixed charge that has the purpose of covering all fixed costs related to the size of the particular type of power supply for small to medium power Charge users (i.e. related to how much capacity is made available to the customer). Demand Charge Energy Charge
ECB Levy
The demand charge is a partly variable charge (with a minimum amount based on 70% of the notified demand of the supply point) that has the purpose of covering all fixed costs related to the size of the particular type of power supply for large power users. The energy charge is a variable charge, depending on actual consumption, and has the purpose of covering at least all variable costs in the power supply system attributed towards the particular power supply. This is a levy payable directly to the Electricity Control Board (ECB) of Namibia, which SERVES AS THE Namibian electricity supply industry regulator. The ECB also approves all electricity tariffs applicable in Namibia and licenses electricity distribution & supply.
GENERAL At present CENORED is trying to simplify and harmonize tariffs in its license area. This process cannot be completed within a year. For instance, local authority surcharges apply in certain areas and not in others. Also, the various types of charges represent a mix of the above charges. As such CENORED is working with the ECB to harmonise tariffs over a period, typically 3 years.
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https://www.cenored.com.na/tariffs/tariff-charges-explained/522/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
NORED disconnects power supply to Irrigation schemes14
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he Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) has once again cut off electricity to government irrigation projects Shadikongoro and Ndonga Linena in Kavango East Region due to outstanding amounts. It is reported that the two projects have been unable to irrigate their crops as their electric-powered irrigation pumps were down since 25 September, 2018. Meanwhile, NORED Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing said that power would only be restored as soon as the outstanding amounts were settled or an agreement on how the two projects will settle their increasing accounts is reached. AgriBusDev Managing Director Petrus Uugwanga, whose company oversees the green scheme operations, said they are working around the clock to ensure that power is restored for business to be back to normal as soon as they can. He added that they are also on track in regard to securing solar power for the green schemes.
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https://neweralive.na/posts/nored-cuts-shadikongoro-and-ndonga-linena-power
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Solar energy is one of the key ways to drive Namibia's electrification process forward as the country has outstanding solar resources. Solar Energy Africa, 2018
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Renewable Energy
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Figure 7 Annual Global Sales of Off-Grid Systems (REN 21/IRENA)
REN 21 Note: Data reported here represent about 30% of all sales of off-grid solar PV products across these markets.
Solar projects status quo and future in Namibia15
T
he Solar Energy Africa 2018 report released by Solar Plaza states that Namibia's electrification process can go forward as the country has outstanding solar resources. According to the report, there has been an increase in solar projects of larger scale, in addition to off-grid applications in the country. Examples of such projects include both Omaruru [Omburu – 5 MW] and Otjozondjupa [Grootfontein – 5 MW] solar parks, as well as the Ejuva One and Ejuva Two solar plants [both in Gobabis and of 5 MW each] commissioned in August 2018 within the Omaheke region. In fact, Namibia's solar PV on-grid plant capacity has grown rapidly since 2013, growing from 5MW (Omburu) individual plant size to an impressive 37 MW (Mariental) under bian standards. With this, it can be predicted forecasted that Namibia can expect a sustainable Solar Power growth for the future. Besides, solar PV was the only [major] growing renewable category in 2017 in Namibia, along with several other smaller utility scale plants.
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https://www.namibian.com.na/71436/read/Solar-energy-to-drive-Nams-electrification-forward
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Water demand in Namibia is met via surface and artesian sources.
Figure 8: RDJ Photo showing Water currents of the Zambezi River in Namibia
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Water
Country Brief – NAMIBIA Neckartal Dam reaching completion16
T
he minister of agriculture reported on 27 September, 2018 that Neckartal Dam in the //Karas region is now 95% complete will be handed over to government soon, because an exact date for the dam handover has not been given yet. A representative of Salini Impregilo, the Italian
October 2018 The town’s acting CEO has sent out his staff to undertake site inspections at various residents and businesses to ensure residents do not continue their illegal water consumptions and that council enhances its positive revenue collection from water. A total of 831 cases of illegal water connections was recorded in 2017. “We will not be announcing our operations for obvious reasons, if found guilty the fine will be N$10 000 per incident,” he added.
company building the dam stated that “the
Illegal water connections in Rundu17
T
he town council of Rundu is faced with illegal water connections after it is reported of being unable to contain its water and electricity bill. As a result, the council is now heavily indebted to NamWater.
T
he Tses Villages Council has put water rationing in place as a result of an outstanding debt of N$7.6 million to NamWater. It is reported that this has been ongoing for the past five months. The council's CEO confirmed that NamWater had reduced water supply to the village, resulting in residents receiving water for only one hour a day in the morning. According to the council's top administrator the local authority had not paid the bulk water supplier for the past months because of financial constraints. The council told the National Council Chairperson that they plan to upgrade two boreholes at the town to source water for the village in a bid to address the current water crisis.
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https://www.namibian.com.na/71823/read/Necka rtal-Dam-almost-complete 17 https://neweralive.na/posts/rundu-still-stainedwith-illegal-water-connection
https://www.namibian.com.na/71700/read/Tseswater-rationing-over-debt-continues
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The dam will cost the government over N$5,7 billion once completed, and will supply water to a 5 000 hectare irrigation scheme and is expected to employ around 800 people, and over 1 000 during harvest time.
Tses water rationing over debt continues18
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wall of the dam is completed, and only minor jobs remain, as well as the rehabilitation of the environment around the dam before handing it over to the government very soon.”
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Figure 9: RDJ Photo showing Leaners Involved in Sustainable Environmental Actions: Waste Collection
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The Environment and Sustainability
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Okongo Village contributing to food security19
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he Okongo's dream of becoming a self-sufficient food producer has received a massive boost from the Ministry of Water, which has granted the village council a permit exemption to recycle industrial effluent and domestic wastewater. The permit is valid for five years. However, if the average dry weather flow (ADWF) exceeds 150 cubic metres a day or the design flow of plant before the expiry date, the permit shall lapse. Therefore, the Ministry of Water Permanent Secretary urged the council to strictly comply with the terms and conditions of the permit. The village council will treat the wastewater with an advanced biological filtration system to allow for re-use in agriculture. In support of this, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has given the village council an amount of N$6 million, which was used to establish the water treatment plant. The village council CEO said that “We have created about 30 agricultural plots around the plant. These plots will be issued to those who want to establish agricultural projects in the town. We would like to be a food self-sufficient town and this is the first step in that direction”. He further added that “Anyone who would like to establish an agricultural project, especially youth and women, are welcomed to approach the council and apply for their agricultural plots. We have enough land and water is available.”
Figure 10: Sample wastewater in agriculture. Source: http://www.constantinealexander.net
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https://www.namibiansun.com/news/okongos-food-producer-dream-takes-shape2018-08-23/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Complete cancellation of Phosphate mining clearance certificate20
T
he Economic and Social Justice Trust has written to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism asking it to permanently cancel the environmental clearance certificate of Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd to prevent the company from commencing phosphate mining operations off the Namibian coast. This occurred after a growing social and environmental concerns raised on about the implementation of the Namibian Marine Phosphate (NMP) project. Such concerns led the environment ministry on the 21st of June 2018, to set aside the environmental clearance previously granted to NMP on September 2016, in order to give an opportunity for to submit their opinions about the NMP. The deadline submissions lapsed on the 28th of September.21 The letter which was addressed to the Environmental Commissioner, highlighted numerous factors that justified the complete cancellation of the certificate. Hence in this letter, the benefits of Mining Phosphate in Namibia seems to have outweighed the consequence of proceeding with the project.
YES to Namibian Marine Phosphate Mining
NO to Namibian Marine Phosphate Mining
Figure 11: A comparison between yielding benefits Vs Consequences of mining phosphate in Namibia
https://neweralive.na/posts/calls-to-permanently-cancel-environmental-certificate-for-phosphate-mining https://thepatriot.com.na/index.php/2018/10/05/phosphate-mining-woes-continue/
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October 2018
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Telecommunications
Country Brief – NAMIBIA Namibia 5th National ICT Summit22
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he Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) launched the 5th national ICT summit in Windhoek, which ran under the theme, “Digital transformation for an ICT smart Namibia”. The summit, which took place from the 15th to the 17th of October 2018 gathered hundreds of ICT experts and institutions from in and out of the country, and created a platform for the ICT industry to discuss trends and challenges facing the industry globally and in the country. ICT industry players used this platform to showcase their ICT solutions and services. The Summit also exposed the youth to latest ICT trends and provided them the opportunity to also present their latest innovations and inventions. In his opening speech, the Minister stated that to avoid the country from remaining on the periphery of 4th Industrial Revolution the country must contemplate a host of policy and regulatory interventions that will place us in better stead to harness the benefits of this imminent and unavoidable development. He added that “We can achieve this by accelerating digitisation and improve internet connectivity. These are perfect launch pads for the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
October 2018 MTC new prayer service23
M
TC introduced a new app that offers clients web-based content for N$1 per day, including a prayer and comfort option. On 11 September 2018, MTC’s Spokesperson said that the mobile telecommunications company has incorporated a mobile content and valueadded service division, which is the process of pushing web-based content to its customers for a minimal subscription fee whereby a customer receives a daily message, ranging from prayer, gossip, sports and weather forecasts, depending on their preferences. However, some clients seem to see the move as rip off as they feel they can get all that is offered in the new service elsewhere at no cost.
081EVERY1 project makes progress24
T
he MTC’s 081EVERY1 project has made progress. The project, which aims at improving its network coverage across the country, has 524 sites that already received Environmental Clearance Certifications from the Ministry of Environment, with 85 already given to contractors. This information was confirmed by chief human capital of MTC, who added that 12 sites out of the 85 have completed tower structure and perimeter fencing, with only power supply and equipment installation still outstanding. Furthermore, the completion of these 85 sites is expected by the end of November, after which the sites will be handed over to the
https://www.namibian.com.na/71238/read/N$1for-MTC-prayer-gossip
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https://www.namibian.com.na/71394/read/081EV ERY1-project-makes-progress
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http://www.ictsummit.gov.na/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Karas Erongo Hardap Kavango East Kavango West Khomas Kunene Ohangwena Omaheke Omusati Oshana Oshikoto Otjozondjupa Zambezi
NUMBER OF SITES 6 5 7 7 7 4 1 6 7 7 6 7 9 6
Free Internet use for FNB App users25
F
irst National Bank (FNB) Namibia has launched a data/credit free App with MTC which will allow its customers to do their banking needs without credit on their phones. The Bank’s CEO confirmed that the App will allow users to make payments, make use of eWallet, transfer money between FNB accounts, view balances and transaction histories, transfer money from eWallet to transactional accounts, buy prepaid electricity and airtime and make Geo payments. In addition, FNB Head of Digital Channels, explained that besides being able to use the app anywhere for free, individuals will also be rewarded with cash back into their savings account for using the app. As for login
Figure 12: https://www.fnbnamibia.com.na/ways-tobank/for-me/fnbBankingApp.html
Powercom towers26
operating
more
P
owercom, a company owned by Telecom Namibia provides ICT infrastructure and equipment is now operating 429 towers across the country amid growth in mobile connectivity. Apart from telecommunications service, Powercom is rendering managed services such as rooftops and third party colocations such as water towers. 239 Towers
•Leseased by Telecom Namibia
138 Towers
5 Towers
•Leased by MTC Namibia
•Leased by MTN Namibia
Figure 13: Powercom Towers leased by different communication companies
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https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/business /item/10430-fnb-launches-data-free-app
https://www.observer.com.na/index.php/business /item/10428-powercom-now-operates-429towers
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REGION NAME
requirement to access the app, a fingerprint will be required, among other new security features.
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communities. The 85 sites currently underway are spread as follows:
October 2018
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Figure 14: RDJ Photo showing a road in Namibia
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Roads and Transport
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Feedback of the transport fare increase27
A
fter the Namibian Road Transportation Board’s decision to approve the 20% increase in transportation fares since last made in 2009, many commuters have been reporting to the Ministry of Transport, the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA), the Police and other organisations of being illegally charged 30% and up to 50% price increases instead by drivers. This is because the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) had campaigned for a 50% increase and were denied that, but rather approve a 20% increase which was against what they had expected. As a response to this: • NABTA's secretary general stressed that all bus and taxi drivers and owners should stick to the legally approved 20% price increase and refrain from charging consumers more than that. NABTA urged commuters to contact the association or the police if they are overcharged and to refuse to pay anything more than the approved price. •
The deputy director of transport regulation said that the ministry was trying to urgently address this issue, and was compiling a list of legal bus and taxi fares to be distributed countrywide. He added that some drivers were charging less than the 20% increase, which was allowed.
“The RDJ Internship Program” Still Shaping Professional Graduates!!!
_ 2019 Applications Opening Soon _
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https://www.namibiansun.com/news/overcharging-rampant2018-09-11/
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October 2018
Figure 15: Image Source - http://directsponsor.org
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Financing Page
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Country Brief – NAMIBIA Air Namibia in need of funds to become a profit driven entity28
A
ir Namibia calls on the government to buy aircrafts instead of leasing which leads to losses. This call is seen in its “Aircraft ownership” strategic plan. Air Namibia finance department representative pointed out that government subsidies are targeted towards payment of operating expenses such as aircraft rental costs, maintenance and fuel. He called on change of business model and said “We started with acquiring the ERJ fleet and in 2017 operating leases were converted into ownership. We are left with the two A330s and A319s, which we envisage to also convert.” This could cost in the range of US$100 million. He further highlighted the fact that there is inadequate airport infrastructure, for example, he said, Eros Airport closes 21:00 this restricts them to a maximum of three flights on a daily basis. This according to him, increases unit costs and consequently to higher fares. For this to change, improved infrastructure is needed and hence money is also needed. Overall, the acquiring of the two A330s and A319s, maintenances to various airports would smooth the process of profit driven business model if an amount of N$2.5 to N$3 is injected.
October 2018 a gravel road between Omakange and Onamatanga in the Omusti Region, after the Roads Contractor Company (RCC), which was originally awarded a tender worth N$21 million to construct the road five years ago, failed to make headway on the project. RA spokesperson reported that the RA and MWT, through the Omusati Regional Council, awarded this tender to the RCC to construct the stated road in November 2013, but up to now the RCC only managed to de-bush about half of the total distance. According to him, their request for further funding had been approved by the ministry and they would now find a contractor for the 41 Km road project.
Bank Windhoek finances a 5.78MW Solar Plant30
B
ank Windhoek, in conjunction with the Enertronica Group, recently financed the construction of the Trekkopje solar project of a combined output of 5.78 megawatts in the Erongo region, as part of the development of solar parks in Namibia. The solar project, was built by Enertronica Group, a multinational industrial company specialising in renewable energy and has constructed the plant at the cost of N$137 million, and started operating in August, 2018.
MWT funds road construction29
https://www.namibiansun.com/news/air-namneeds-n3bn2018-09-20/ 29 https://www.namibiansun.com/news/road-costballoons-by-n36m2018-08-29/
30
https://www.namibian.com.na/71745/read/BankWindhoek-finances-578MW-solar-plant
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he Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT) has approved further funding of N$36 million for the construction of
Country Brief – NAMIBIA Water Relief for arid Ruacana Constituency31
R
eal Tech group of companies sponsored the arid constituency of Ruacana with 20 water pipes valued at N$48 000 to supplement the existing boreholes distributing water to the vast community that has been without water in three villages, that included Oshihanameya, Eenawa and Omukunzi. The villages that have endured water scarcity will benefit from the gesture, since they usually walked eight to fifteen kilometres to access water at distant boreholes. According to the Ruacana Constituency councillor, the constituency does not have rural water supply and depends solely on boreholes, which were installed by government to ensure that people get access to water. Meanwhile, the Omusati Regional Council through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry also has plans to put up a Ruacana South Water pipeline.
October 2018 HangalaPrescient, driven32
investment
H
angalaPrescient is a joint venture between Hangala Capital and Prescient Holdings. It was launched in September 2018, with the aim to continue driving investment management activities in both the listed and unlisted asset management markets in Namibia. HangalaPrescient has been operating in Namibia since 2011 in investment management, and established a private equity business in 2016. With a number of eight employees, the company offers private equity services, and has successfully raised N$500 million for infrastructure financing in the sectors of energy, information communication technology, water, transport, health and education. This is a debt mandate with a quasi-equity provision.
Place Your Add Here! 31
https://neweralive.na/posts/relief-for-aridruacana-constituency
laPrescient-to-drive-investmentHangalaPrescientto-drive-investment
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https://www.namibian.com.na/71485/read/Hanga
October 2018
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Tenders Page
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
NAMPOWER33 TENDER NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
G/ONB/NPWR-04/2019
Supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of CCTV cameras and Access control systems at various NamPower sites Compulsory site visit: Kindly refer to the compulsory site visit dates stipulated in the bidding document.
G/ONB/NPWR-05/2019
W/OAB/NPWR-05/2019
W/ONB/NPWR-43/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-44/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-47/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-51/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-49/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-02/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-50/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-05/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-11/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-26/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-27/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-30/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-31/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-32/2018 W/ONB/NPWR-33/2018
Supply and delivery of Vehicles and related Equipment
CLOSING DATE (use Namibian Time)
19 Oct 2018 at 11:00
02 Nov 2018 at 00:00
Procurement of Geotechnical, Geohydrological, and Topographical services for the development of the Omburu PV Power Plant
02 Nov 2018 at 00:00
Construction of the Medium Voltage and Low Voltage networks supplying localities in DIFFETRENT Regions of the Country (per Tender)
26 Oct 2018 at 11:00
NORED34 TENDER NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
CLOSING DATE
NE/013/2018
To provide ad-hoc electrical construction services to NORED for both medium voltage (MV) lines and low voltage (LV) connections in the NORED operational area for a period of one year.
Wednesday, 15 August 2018 by latest 11:00
https://www.nampower.com.na/bids.aspx http://www.nored.com.na/nored-tenders/
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
Employment creation – a need for Economic Growth Editorial team
Figure 16: Image source - www.savethestudent.org
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Careers
Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
NAMPOWER35 POSITION
REFERENCE No.
LOCATION
CLOSING DATE
IT Analyst Programmer (X2)
16649
NCB, Windhoek
18 Oct 2018
Electrician: Power lines
16663
Brakwater
19 Oct 2018
Swakop Uranium36
https://www.nampower.com.na www.swakopuranium.com
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
October 2018
EDITORIAL TEAM RESEARCHERS: Fares Shipaxu Chilombo Olga Priscila
WRITER: Fares Shipaxu Chilombo Olga Priscila
LAYOUT: Chilombo Olga Priscila
EDITOR: Chilombo Olga Priscila David Jarrett
REVIEWER Lahja Amaambo
PUBLISHER: RDJ Consulting
CONTACT: RDJ Consulting Services CC PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone: +264 61 400 171 Email – Briefing@rdjconsulting.co.za
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Visit our website www.rdjconsulting.co.za for more information.
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RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.
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October 2018
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Country Brief – NAMIBIA
